Header



' 6 Sheets-Sheet 1.

HEADER.

Patented May 12, 1896. s\ m 5v (No Model.)

H. C. BURMEISTER.

AN A w PN 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

H. C. BURMEISTER.

HEADER.

No. 560,057. I Patented May 12, 1896. SMQ b) 9S QB v s) F3* Q- ANDREW BLRMAM. PHOT0-uTMu.wA5HmGmN.D C.

DMRB A Patented May 12, 1896.

Wrze e WM PHUTU'UTHD WASHINGDILDC (No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 4. H. C. BURMEISTBR.

HEADER.

ANDREW BGRAMM. PHOTO UTHQWASMNGTUKDL.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5. H. C. BURMEISTER.

HEADER.

Patented May 12, 1896.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

H. 0. BURMBISTBR. HEADER.

Patented May l2, 1896.

NTTED STATES PATENT EErcE.

HENRY (l. BURMEISTER, OF CLAFLIN, KANSAS.

HEADER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 560,057, dated May 12, 1896. Application iiledpril27,1894. Renewed May 6,1895. Serial No. 548,347. (No model.)

T 0 @ZZ 1071/0711, it Healy concern.'

Beit known that I, HENRY C. BURMEISTER, a resident of Claflin, county of Barton, State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Headers, of which the following is hereby declared to be a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The invention relates to that class of harvesting-machines known as headers, and it consists of certain improvements in structure, substantially as set forth by the description following, and more particularly pointed out by claimsat the conclusion thereof.

In the drawings, Sheet I, Figure 1 is a view of the header in elevation at the inner or stubble side; Sheet Il, Fig. 2, a plan view of the header 5 Fig. 2, a detail view of a hanger and its adjuncts at the grain-wheel support for the main frame; Sheet lll, Fig. 3, a plan view at the forward end (not shown by Fig. 2) of the header-tongue, showing its adj uncts and its relation to the wagon-box, (dotted lines,) into which the cut grain is delivered by the elevator; Fig. 3a, a detail side view at the forward end of the tongue with its reach-connectorto the wagon; Fig. Sb, a detail plan view of the reach as sustained at the wagon-box; Fig. 3C, a perspective view of an adjustinglever for the inner or stubble side of the main frame; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the radius-link for said lever, Fig. 3C; Sheet IV, Fig. 4, an enlarged detail plan view of main or drive wheel and cutter-platform wit-h intermediate parts at the stubble side of the inachine; Fig. 4, a like view in continuation of Fig. l to display a portion of the front part of the cutter-platform; Fig. 4b, a detail sectional view at line C 0 of Fig. 4; Sheet V, Fig. 5, a detail of the ratchet and catch mechanism at the shift-lever for the cutter-platform; Fig. 5, a perspective view of the skeleton truss for the cutter-platform Fig. 5, a perspective view of the union coupling at the apex of the skeleton truss; Fig. 5C, a detail section at line 12 l2 of Fig. t, Sheet VI, Fig. G, a longitudinal section of the cutter-platform with its carrier and elevator aprons; Fig'. 6, a detail plan of the elevator with its aprons removed; Fig. 6, a cross-sectional view on line l5 15 of Fig. 6; Fig. 6, a de*` ail view of the pitman in front elevation, showing its connections with its drivecrank and with the sickle.

In the ordinary style of header now in familiar use the horses are hitched at the sides of a long pole or tongue, which extends back from the main frame or from the cross-axle at the two side wheels and upon which the main frame is hung. As distinguished from this type of rear-push machine, the present invention is of the front-draft kind, wherein the tongue projects forward and constitutes practically a rigid part or continuation of the main frame. A leader-wheel set in advance near the forward end of the pole acts in conjunction with the two rearwheels, located at opposite sides of the frame proper, to support the burden of such rigid frame. The weight of the frame, together with that of the cutter-platform tilting thereon, is thus brought chiefly between and is distributed at three carrying-points, whereby the draft becomes materially less.

The main frame of the machine to sustain the cutter-platform and its adj uncts presents (when viewed from above) somewhat of an L form in general plan. The cross-bar or backbone F, Fig. 2, of stout tubing constitutes one of the L members, and from this, near the stubble side, projects forward the other member, which is the tubulartongue FS. The draft -tongue F8 and backbone F are stoutly fastened at their joint by bolts f5. while diagonal braces F9 F10, secured separately along the tongue by bolts f7 fg, extend thence in opposite directions and fasten to the cross-bar F by bolts fs f1 to firmly stay the tongue and to enable the draft to be more evenly distributed therefrom at several points along the bar F. At its front the L-frame is carried pivotally on the stem L of the forked caster-shank K', Figs. l and 3a, the lower terminal of which shank aitords the axle for the leader-wheel K. The draft-hitch for the machine being immediately in advance of the leader-wheel, (see S, dotted lines, Fig. 32,) itis plain that the caster-shank compels the wheel to respond promptly and to effect an easy turn of the machine within narrow range, following' closely in the track of the draft-animals. At the rear the L-frame, Fig. 2, is mounted upon drive-wheel C and grainwheel D, located near opposite ends of cross- IOC) bar F. From said cross-bar on the outer or grain-wheel end depends the rigid hanger F', Fig. 2, which by its ear f pivotally engages with the radius-arm D', bent in crank form and at its lower terminal aording a spindle D2 for the grain-wheel D. The upper crank member of radius-arm D projects, Fig. 2, toward the inner or stubble side of the machine, in general direction parallel with the backbone F, and finds a convenient journal-bearin g at its terminal in a box-clip f11 on diagonal brace F10. It thus appears that grainwheel D at its spindle D2 carries the radiusarm D', which in turn supports the backbone F of the main frame through the medium of hanger F and what is in effect a companion hanger-viz., diagonal brace F10, (with its box f1)-projecting from thebackbone. The elongated axial crank member of radius-arm D' pivotally seats itself in hangers F and F10 f, so that the radius-arm D' can be swung up or down (to adjust the height of the main frame) about spindle D2 of grain-wheel D as a center. Lock-link D3, set loosely on spindle D2, engages by its bolt d with bracket fw, here shown, Fig. 2, in piece with hanger F', to hold the main frame in rigid position as the same is set with reference to spindle D2.

On the inner or stubble side the main drivewheel C, by its long axle C', affords pivotal support for the radius-links c c', Figs. et, 4, an d 3, which extend thence forward and sustain between them the revolving` countershaft G in position parallel with drive-axle C'. Aside from its function as a driver for the cutter and apron mechanism, as presently described, the counter-shaft G may be viewed as an elongated crank extension of links c c' and as such acts to loosely receive and sustain the eye-loops at the lower ends or apexcs of the companion V-brackets F'g F3, Figs. l, l, and lb. At the rear upper ends said parallel brackets F2 F3 are fastened to the backbone F, the terminal f4 of bracket F2 being bent back to a horizontal, so as to seat the cross-bar F and be secured by the same bolts which hold tongue F8 thereto, while the correspon din g terminal f2 of the other bracket Fs is bent laterally toward the grain or outer side of the machine and furnishes a broad bearing, to which the backbone F is fastened by bolts f3, Fig. 4b. rlhe front members F6 F7 of the V-brackets F2 F3 are extended to aline with tongue F8 and are united thereto by bolts ffT, Figs. l and l. The same bolt f7 for bracket member FT, Figs. l, 2, and 4, serves, as already detailed, to unite diagonal brace F9 with' the tongue FS, while bolt f5 serves in like fashion to join the tongue to the forward end of an angular brace F15 F12, Figs. l, 2, and l, which extends laterally back and by its rear terminal seats upon the end of main axle C at the inner or stubble side of the machine. An adjusting-lever G', Fig. 3C, by its box-hole g, journals upon counter-shaft G, Figs. l and 4b, at the side of radius-link c', to which it is bolted. Lever G can be set at will by bolt g'i in any one of the series of holes f12 on arc-plate F11, secured, as appears, Fig. i, to the members of V-bracket F3 FT.

By the construction detailed it is plain that the main frame, at the stubble side, is supported from axle C through radius-links c c' and their counter-shaft G, upon which shaft journals the companion V-brackets F2 F3, dependent from the backbone F. The main frame can thus be raised or lowered at will by means of ad justing-lever G', the supporting-links c c', with their counter-shaft G, moving radially about axle O' as a center to raise or lower V-brackets F2 F3 and backbone F, while the remote extremities of the main frame ease slightly at the wheel-mounts D and K. If thel radius-links c c when at a horizontal be deemed to stand in normal relation or height for the main frame, it is clear that the vertical shift of the frame up or down can be effected in maximum by departure of links c c' from the horizontal within the limits of the sweep of adj listing-lever G along its lockrack FU. Manifest-ly the drive-wheel C is thus .rendered much smaller in diameter, and by consequence in weight, than if attempt were made by arc-irons or like expedient at the axle of the wheel Cto directly sustain and shift the main frame from that part. The adjustment here proposed by radius-links c c', together with the corresponding radius-arm D' D3 at the grain-wheel side, permit the main frame to be quickly shifted up or down while the drive mechanisms for the cutter, the reel, and the earrienaprons are retained intact without the slightest displacement in operative relation, as will presently appear.

The cutter-platform, which is pivoted to rock freely from the main or sustaining frame, has for its foundation a skeleton truss, Fig. 5, constructed as follows: Attached to the lower end of the hanger F at the outer end of the cross-bar F is a forwardly-extending tubular beam A3, the front end of which is rigidlybolted to the underside ofthe platform A. A similar forwardly-extending flanged or L beam A'l is hung from the outer end of the counter-shaft Gby means of a bearing u" engaging said shaft, the front end of said beam A4 being also rigidly bolted to the under side of the platform A. For the purpose of maintaining said beams A3 and A4 in their correct position relatively to each other I have provided a tubular brace A, bolted to the beam A3 about midway of the length thereof` and bolted to the extreme rear end of the beam A4. A tie-rod A6 is also bolted to the beam A3 about midway of its length and to the beam A3 at the extreme rear end thereof, said tie-rod and strut crossing each other in the form of an X. From the ends of the tie rods AG rigid tubular struts Av7 extend upwardly to an apex, where they are bolted to the opposite sides of a union coupling AS, and from the ends of the brace A5 tie-rods A9 extend upwardly to the apex of the struts AT and pass through suitable apertures am in said IOO IIO

casting AS. Adj Listing-nuts au on the ends of said tie-rods A9 permit the tension thereof to be varied as desired and enable the bracework thus formed to be tightened up to any desired degree. The skeleton truss is sustained, as appears, by pivot at foot-of hanger F on the grain side, Fig. 2, and on the stubble side by box a9 near the outer terminal of counter-shaft G, Fig. et. Supplemental to the skeleton truss there is a metal beam A10, Figs. l and -i'lwhich journals upon the shaft G near its inner or stubble end and extends thence forward beneath the transverse sills A20A2 of the cutter-platform to strengthen and support said platform at the part adjacent the elevator. rlhe front ends of the truss-beams A2 Al are flattened, while the same end of the companion L-beam A10 is given a quarterturn, so that these several parts at juncture with forward sill A2 project but slightly beneath the sill, in better avoidance of minor obstacles.

A designates the grain-platform, provided along its front edge with the usual reciprocatory cutting apparatus B. The platform A is made in the form of a shallow trough, within which is provided the usual carrierapron A', passing over rollers a and u. at cach end of the platform and having its upper side further supported by intermediate rollers CL2, said rollers being placed so as to bring the top surface of the carrier slightly below the plane of the cutting apparatus throughout the length of the latter. At one end of the platform A and the carrier A is provided an elevator E of a usual type, comprising two carrier-belts E and E2, arranged with their adjacent faces in close proximity to each ot-her and adapted to seize and carry up between them the grain delivered to them by the horizontal carriers AC The lower elevator-belt E passes around suitable rollers c and e', extending between the side boards E2 of the elevator at the bottom and top thereof, the lower roller e being journaled closely adjacent to and in substantially the same horizontal plane with the roller a of the horizontal carrier A. The upper elevator-belt E2 passes over rollers e2 and c2 at the top and bottom of the elevator, the lower rollers e:z being adjustably journaled within slots e.'L in the side boards E3 in order that the belt E2 may be adj usted toward or away from the belt E', as desired. The upper surface of the belt Eis kept from sagging away from the belt E2 by intermediate rollers e5, and the upper surface of said carrier-belt E2 is likewise supported intermcdiately by a similar roller e. The lower surface of the latter carrier tends naturally to sag against the ad jacent surface of the lower belt E2, but is left free to yield away from the same when forced back by the intervening mass of passing grain. (See Fig. G.) As herein shown, all the carrier-belts are actuated from the lower roller e of the belt E', the shaft E4 of said roller c being extended back and driven from the driving-wheel C by suitable connections hereinafter described. A sprocket-chain a2, connectingsprocket-pulleys @Tand CL4, mounted, respectively, on said shaft E4 and on the shaft a5 of the roller a drives the horizontal carrier A. (See Fig. 4.) The upper carrier E2 is actuated by a belt es, connectingapulley e9 on the shaft El with a pulley el@ on the shaft of the upper roller e2, which is extended through the adjacent side board E3 of the elevator for this purpose. (See Figs. G and 6ft.) The elevator E inclines upwardly and outwardly and is made of sufficient length to discharge its contents into a neighboring wagonbox, as will hereinafter be explained. For the purpose of adjusting the elevator with relation to the wagon it is herein shown pivoted at its lower end upon the shaft El of the lower roller e, its inclination being adjusted, as desired, by means of a rope c, secured to the upper end of the elevator-frame and to any suitably-fixed part of the header-frame and the length of which maybe varied as desired.

The cutting apparatus B is of a usual type, comprising guard-fingers B, bolted to an angle-iron B2, projecting from the front edge of the platform A, and a reciprocatory sickle B3, resting on said guard-fingers B with its teeth Z) passing through slots Z2 in said guard-fingers. As a means of guiding the sickle the rear edge thereof is turned up at inter- Vals t form vertical guide-flanges h2 of a length equal to or greater than the distance the sickle moves, said guide-flanges h2 being received within guide-slots provided in the lower face of forwardly-projecting strips B4, bolted to the top of the angle-iron B2 at the proper intervals to engage said flanges h2. Directly behind the cutting apparatus a horizontal strap a, secured to the top of the front sill A2 of the platform A, projects rearwardly over the top surface of the horizontal carrier A and serves to prevent the grain falling into the crack between t-he edge of the carrier and the rear face of said sill A2. The straps B4 are in this instance extended back to overlap the plate a and have their rear ends secured by bolts b3, passing through the plate a into the front sill A2 of the platform. They are secured at their front ends bybolts b4, passing through the angle-iron B2and adjacent guardfingers B, and consequently, in addition to furnishing a guide for the sickle B3, serve to more securely bind the cutting apparatus to the platform. The guard-iingcrs B are in this instance shown provided in pairs, connected by an integral cross-bar b at their rear ends, as appears by dotted lines in Fig. 5.

The cutting apparatus B does not extend the full length of the platform A, but terminates some distance from the foot of the elevator E, and the sickle B3 is shown, Figs. a and 6, reciprocated by a pitman B5 from a crank E5 on the forward end of lthe roller-shaft E4. The pitman B5 is shown rigidly connected with the end of the sickle B3, so that the flexibility IOO IOS

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of said sickle being depended upon to permit the required oscillatory motion of the pitman. Such connection is in this instance provided by slotting the end of the pitman, as shown in Fig. 6G, inserting the end of the sickle in the slot and passing rivets or bolts through the parts to secure them rigidly together. An enlarged guard-finger B11 of a usual type is provided at the inner end of the cutting apparatus to direct the grain toward the sickle, and the pitman E is herein shown protected by a horizontal angle-bar CLT, bolted to said Vlinger vBf at one end and at its other end to a short arm CLS, which projects from the front of the platform at the inner end thereof. The drive-wheel CV is in this instance loosely mounted on the shaft C', Fig. 4, and is connccted therewith by a usual backing-ratchet, comprising a sleeve C2, provided with ratchetteeth c2, engaging similar teeth of the hub of the driving-wheel C. Said sleeve C? is normally held in an engagement with the hub by means of a coil-spring cf and is adapted to be thrown out of engagement therewith, when desired, bymeans of a lever C3. For pivotally supporting this lever an angle-bar F12,V

Figs. 2 and al, is sleeved on the inner end of the shaft C and extends forwardly and upwardly Y therefrom to engage a rigid bar F13, bolted to the tongue FS. Near its lower end said bar F12 is provided with a projecting pivot-pin f 13, adapted to engage any one of the series of openings c1 in said lever C3.

The connections hereinbefore referred to for driving the roller-shaft E4 comprise a spurgear C4, rigidly secured to the shaft C and engaging a spur-pinion G2, loosely mounted on the shaft G. A bevel-gear G3 is rigidly connected with the pinion G2, to turn therewith, and engages a beveled pinion Ff', rigidly secured to the inner end of the shaft E1. The rear end of the shaft E1 is supported adjacent to the pinion E within a bearing m12, provided on the forwardly-extending beam A10, Figs. 1 and a, which is loosely sleeved to the shaft G at its rear end, and the forward end of which is rigidly bolted to the under side of the inner end of the platform A. The shaft E1 is herein shown provided between the platform A and the pinion i1 with a tumbling shaftsection ET of any suitable type, by reason of which any distortion of the parts occasioned by the racking of the frame will not interfere with the operation of the machine.

For the purpose of supporting a usual grainreel H in a horizontal position above the cutting apparatus B at the front edge of the platform A devices are provided as follows: A11 designates a standard, Figs. l, 2, and G, rising from the rear edge of the platform at a point directly behind the large grain-finger B, said standard in this insta-nce forming the inner support of a vertical framework A12, arranged along the rear ed ge of the platform and adapted to be covered with wire-cloth or canvas to serve as a screen in preventing the grain from falling off the rea-r edge of the platform.

The screen-frame is herein shown strengthened by suitable braces A1g and A14, the latter of which extends upwardly and inwardly to the upper end of the standard A11 and secures the same against lateral deflection. I designates an upwardly-inclined tubular arm (herein shown of curved shape) which is attached at its rear Vend near the rear end of truss-beam A1, and is further supported about midway of its length by an adjustable clip (L13, passing around the standard A11 and securely clamping the arm I to said standard. At its upper and forward end said bar I supports a bearing z', within which the inner end of the shaft H of the reel H is revolubly mounted. At its outer end said reel-shaft is supported in a bearing fi', Fig. 2, provided on the upper and forward end of the upwardly-inclined arm I', which is secured about midway of its length tothe outer standard A15, Figs. 2 and G, of the screenwork A12 by means of a suitable bolt CLM, and the rear end of which is bolted to the rear end of an outwardly-inclincd tubular bar A16, securely bolted to the under side of the platform A and meeting the front edge thereof at a common point with theV truss-beam A3. Vertical adjustment of the reel is afforded at its inner end by means of a tie-rod l2, engaging the arm l near its outer end and adjustably connecting it with an inclined bar 13, Figs. l and 2, which is supported at its upper endV by resting on the top of the standard A11 and at its lower end is secured to the beam A1 at the rear end thereof. An adj usting-nut fL2 on the tie-rod l2 may be screwed up to raise or lower the reel, as desired, the clip L13 being loosened sufficiently to permit the desired adjustment and being afterward tightened again. Vertical adjustment of the reel at its outer end is effected by means of a series of holes (not shown) in the standard r 15, with any one of which the bolt (L1l is adapted to be engaged. At its extreme inner end the shaft of the reel H is provided with a sprocketpulley H2, Fig. l, which is connected by a sprocket-chain H3 with a driving-sprocket C5 on the outer end of the main driving-shaft G, Figs. 2 and l. Idle guide rollers or pulleys (L11 and (L15, Fig l, mounted on the standard A11, prevent the chain from striking any intervening portions of the framework, and an idleroller g4, Fig. a, on the shaft Gprevents the said chain from rubbing on said shaft when the relative adjustment of the parts is such as to bring the chain in contact with the said roller g1.

The tongue FS of the header extends forward a considerable distance in front of the platform A and is provided at its forward end, Fig. 3, with a supporting-wheel K. Said wheel K is j ournaled between the forked lower ends of a vertical pivot-shaft K, which are bent rearwardly in order that the wheel may caster or swing freely in any direction according with the direction of pull on the tongue. The pivot-shaft K extends vertically upward through a suitable bearing L on the tongue IOO IOS

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and supports at its top a pipe or standard L, herein shown secured to said shaft by an ordinar f pipe-coupling Z.

The wagon Vt', Fig. 3, in connection with which the header is used and into which the elevator E discharges the cut grain, is driven opposite the header in such position relatively thereto as to bring the wagon-box directly beneath the upper outer end of said elevator. For the purpose of maintaining the correct relative positions of the header and wagon I provide a rigid bar or reach M, adapted to be secured to the front end of the tongue F8 and to the front of the wagon-body. As herein shown, said bar M is designed to be perman ently connected with the wagon and detachably connected to the tongue of the header in such manner that when the wagon is iilled the bar may be detached from the tongue by the driver of the wagon without necessitating his leaving his position. To this end I provide on the end of the tongue F8 a loop N, Figs. 3 and 3, formed by doubling abar of iron and bolting its ends rigidly on each side of the tongue by means of suitable bolts ln. The front end ofwsuch loop N is bent slightly toward the wagon side of the header and is adapted to be embraced between projecting hook-shaped irons M', secured by bolts m to the top and bottom sides of the barM. lVhen so engaged with the loop N, the hooks M' are normally prevented from slipping forwardly of the end of the loop by a latch N', pivotally mounted between the sides of the loops upon a transverse bolt n', and having its rear end extended backward to engage a catch N2, pivoted to the side of the tongue on a bolt n2. A cord NS is secured to the upper end of the catch N2 and leads up to within convenient each of the driver of the wagon, in a manner presently described, so that by pulling the said cord N2 and releasing the catch N2 the latch N' will be left free to swing on its pivot n' and permit the hooks M to slip forward oif the loop N, thereby detaching the bar M from the tongue. A spring n3, applied to the pivot n.2 of the catch N2, serves to normally maintain the same in engagement with the latch N', and the front upper end of the catch N2 is beveled off, as shown, in order to engage said catch automatically when the rear end of the latter is thrown down against it. Rea-rward movement of the bar M relatively to the tongue FS is prevented by a stop-pawl N", pivoted on a transverse bolt n4, extending between the sides of the loop N about midway of the length thereof. Said pawl is adapted to extend forward between the hooks M' when the latter are embracing the loop N; and is provided with a notch "if, adapted to normally engage the rear edge of the lower hoolr M', and resist any tendency of the bar to move backward.

The connections between the bar M and the wagon-body are in this instance constructed as follows: M2 designates a fia-t metallic strap bolted to the upper side of the bar M at the end thereof opposite to the hooks M', and curved downwardly toward its outer end, where it terminates in an eye 'm'.

O designates a tubular bar bolted at its rear end to one of the beams w of the wagoir body by means of clips o, and curved downwardly and forwardly therefrom. The strap M2 is adapted to hook over and rest upon the outer end of said tubular bar O, as shownin Fig. 8, and is retained loosely in place on said bar O by a looped rod on the upper side thereof.

For the purpose of enabling the bar M to be shifted to a position directly in front of the wagon when it is detached from the header the loop 0' is made high enough to permit said bar to be slipped endwise through it when lifted high enough to clear the bar N, and a lever N3 for this purpose is pivotally attached at its lower end to the eye m' at the end of the strap M2, and extends upwardly through a guide-loop u" on the front of the wagon-box to within convenient reach of the driver. A rod M4, pivoted to the bar M at the outer end thereof adjacent to the hooks M', inclines upwardly toward the wagon and may be fastened to rest on the edge of the wagon-box by means of a cord M5 or otherwise. lWhen the cord N3 is pulied to release the latch N from the hooked ends M' of the bar M, the latter may be lifted and drawn bodily through the loop o' by means of the lever M2, and may thus be shifted into a position where it will extendtransversely across the front of the wagon-body without projecting an inconvenient distance on either side of the same. Friction-rollers to2 on the loop w' provide for the easy movement of the lifting-rod M3, and a similar friction-roller O2, placed on the tubular bar O between the sides of the loop o', permits the bar M to slide easily upon said bar.

Pivotally secured to the standard L, which is rigidly mounted on the top of shaft K', is an upwardly-inclined lever P, Figs. 3, 3, and 5, adapted to extend within easy reach of the driver of the wagon when said wagon is se cured to the header by means of the bar M. A brace-rod P', attached to the standard L at its upper end and secured to the lever P by a bolt p, maintains the lever in its inclined position. The principal function of the lever P is that of adjustingthe height of the front edge of the grain-platform and cutting apparatus above the ground. To this end a rope P2 is rigidly attached to the leverPat a point p' near the lower end thereof, and at its other end is rigidly attached to the front platform A, said rope passing between its ends over a pulley P3, suspended from the tongue F8 at a point directly above the front edge of the platform A. The weight of the platform will obviously produce a strain on said rope P2, tending to swing the lever P rearwardly about the standard L as a pivot, and to resist this strain and render the position ofv the lever adjustable I provide an angle-bar Pt, Figs. 2

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and 5, which is secured to the tongue FS by the same bolt f 0 which secures the tubular brace F10 thereto, and which extends at its front end through a clip P5, provided on the lever P some distance above its lower end. The lower flange of the angle-bar P1 is provided with notches p2, which are normally engaged by a catch P0, pivotcd at p3 to the clip P5. A link P7 is attached to the upper end of the catch P0 and, passing through a guide-clip PS higher up on the lever P, is connected by rope or rod P0 with a hand-latch P10 at the upper end of the lever. A spring p4 on the link PT between the catch P1 and the clip PS serves to normally maintain said catch in engagement with the notches p2 of the angle-bar P1, and a lug p5 on said catch P0 is bent into U shape to embrace the upper edge of the clip P5 and serves to prevent lateral displacement of said catch, the top of the clip P5 being curved on a radius about the pivot p3 to serve as a guide for the lug p5. \Vith this construction by pressing on the hand-latch P10 the driver may release the catch PG from its engagement with the tooth-bar Pt, swing the lever P about the standard L as a pivot, and either raise or lower the front of the harvester-platform, as desired, it being obvious that if the lever P is swung to the rear the rope P2 will slip through the pulley P3 and lower said platform, while if the lever P is swung forwardly the rope P2 will be drawn up through said pulley P3 and the platform A will be raised.

On reference to Fig. l it is seen that by reason of the forward reach of pole FS the suspension-rope P2 for the cutter-platform is sustained along the tongue FS by pulley P3 or like expedient in position most effective for the application of the power in raising said platform about its rear pivots. lYhen the lifting-rope P2 is secured at the front edge of the platform, as shown by Fig. l, the shift of the platform occurs with least expenditure of power and the strength of the operator is correspondingly saved. It will be further observed that if occasion requires the height of the main frame to be changed the construction of the parts is such as to permit the front end of the cutter-platform to be first set in new relation through the medium of its suspender P2, according as the stand of grain may determine, after which the main frame can be shifted at the rear through its radiusarm D D2 and radius-link c c' to properlylevel the whole cutter-platform in keeping with the height assigned to its front end at the outset. During the radial adjustment of the main frame the rear pivots for the cutter-platform necessarily participate in the movement, whereas at its front end the platform remains practically stationary, and is affected only so far as its suspender P2 maybe attached thereto farther and farther toward the rear and also in minor degree by the shift of tongue FS, which raises or lowers as a part of the main frame,turning uponv axle of leader-wheel K as a center. The tongue at point of suspension for the cutter-platform being comparatively remote from the arc of greatest movement imparts no material shift to the front of the platform. It appears, therefore, that the cutter-platform is independently pivoted both at front and rear of its transverse mid-length and that the platform can be raised or lowered and leveled by alternate adjustment of the front and rear sets of pivotal connections, one of which remains stationary during the change in height effected at the other.

For the purpose of enabling the driver to control the operation of the clutch-lever G0 without leaving his station I have provided a rope C0, attached to the outer end of the lever C3, Figs. 2 and 4, and extending through a pulley p0 at the bottom of the lever P, Fig. 3, up along the lever to a hand-latch p7 at the upper end thereof, said rope being deflected near its rear end by a short rope c5, fastened to the tongue F8, Fig. 2. By pulling on the hand-latch p7 the rope C0 may be tightened to throw the clutch C2 out of engagement with the hub of the pulley and stoltlie operation of the working parts of the header. ln a similar manner the cord N3, Figs. 3 and 3f, for releasing the latch N' is carried up through suitable guides and secured to a staple ps at the upper end of the lever P within convenient reach of the driver of the wagon.

For the purpose of partially counterbalancing the weight of the grain-platform and, to a great extent, the strain on the rope P2 and the parts with which it is connected I provide devices as follows: Q designates a tubular bar, Figs. 1 and 2, bolted at its forward end upon tongue FS, and also bolted to the top of the tubular cross-bar F, the greater length of the bar Q extending rearwardly from the said beam F. Q' designates a powerful coiled spring arranged along the top of the bar Q and adjustably secured at its rear to the rear end of said bar, the connection being in this instance formed by a screw-bolt Q0, which passes through the upturned end q of the bar and is provided with an adjustingnut q', to which the rear end coil of the spring Q is fastened. The front end of the spring Q' is attached toa rope R, which extends over a pulley Q0, provided at the inner end of the bar Q, and thence downwardly to the rear of the platform A, to which it is rigidly secured, as at R10, Fig. l. rThe tension of the spring Q, exerted on the platform through the inedium of the rope R, will obviously tend to lift the latter, and such tension may be adjusted at will by turning the bolt Q2 at the rear end of the spring. The tension of the spring is not made sufficient to carry the entire weight of the platform, so that the height of the latter maybe adjusted by means of the rope P2, as hereinbefore explained, the spring yielding to permit the desired adjustment. In some eases it is necessary to drop the front edge of the grain-platform until almost in IOO IIO

contact with the ground, for which reason the forward ends of the supporting truss-beams A3 and A are flattened, as shown in Fig. 5a, so as to extend as little as possible below the front edge of the platform, and the forward end of the bar .A1G is similarly flattened. For the same reason the frontV edge of the channel-bar Hl@ at the inner end of the grain-platform, Fig. l, is twisted at right angles at its forward end in order that the amount of its projection below the front edge of the platform A may be lessened at this point.

ln the operation of the header it will be secured to the wagon by the bar M, as hereinbefore described, and will be drawn along in connection with said wagon until the box on the latter is completely filled with the cut grain. A single horse attached to the front end of the tongue by means of a singletree S will provide sufficient tractive force for drawing the header along and actuating its operating mechanism, the relative positions longitudinally of the header and wagon being maintained by properly controlling and guiding of suclrhorse and of the horses attached to the wagon. Ordinarily every wagon which is to be used in connection with the header will be provided with its separate attachingreach M, which, when the wagon is filled with grain, can be readily detached from the header without any stoppage of the wagon by drawing on the latch-cord N3, and which, when so detached, may be readily moved endwise to lie across the front of the wagon-body by means of the lever 3l:3 in a manner hereinbcfore described. Said reach may also be connected with the header without stopping the wagon by so guiding its outer end by means of the rod M" as to cause the hooks'M to embrace the loop N at the rear thereof and then sliding said hooks forward on the loop until the upper hook strikes the latch N', the stoppawl )it lifting as the lower hook M passes beneath it and then dropping into place with its notch yni engaging said hook.

Obviously no special attendant for the header will be necessary, since the driver of a wagon without leaving his station in the fore part thereof may raise or lower the grainplatform of the header as desired or may at any instant throw the operative machinery of the header out of gear. In the improved construction shown, when the clutch C2 is released the entire operative mechanism of the header simultaneously ceases its action, since the reel and elevator and cutting mechanism are all driven from thc shaft C', which will cease to rotate the instant the clutch C2 is disengaged from the hub of the drive-wheel. The canvas of the belts being supported on rollers runs with but little friction and will be drawn more tightly as it is covered with grain by reason of the weight of the latter. The sickle being directly coupled to the pitman, a bearing is avoided at their point of connection, and by making the sickle of a liexible steel band its weight maybe reduced to about one-fifth of the ordinary sickle. Tith the arrangement shown the pitman which drives the sickle is, moreover, of great length, so that its angular movement is small, and the friction on the sickle produced by reason of such angular movement is greatly reduced. Preferably, and as herein shown, the greater part of the framework of the header will be made of thin steel tubing, by means of which great strength is secured with exceedingly light weight. The machine, as shown, is furthermore braced and supported against strains in every direction and is little liable to get out of order or to require extensive repairs. Moreover, its construction is such that almost any of its parts may be repaired or replaced at the farm or local blacksmith-shop without requiring a visit to a regular machine-shop or the sending to the maker for duplicate parts.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In headers, the combination at the drivewheel and with its power-shaft, of the radiuslinks centering loosely thereon, the countershaft pivotally carried at the free ends of said links parallel to and in gear with the powershaft, the main frame and the cutter-platform pivoted loosely but separately upon the counter-shaft, suitable means to hold in unison said counter-shaft with the main frame and cutter-platform at various heights on adjustment of the radius-links around the powershaft as a center, a driven shaft at the cutterplatform supported in mesh with the countershaft aforesaid and a suspender carried by the main frame to separately shift the cutterplatform, substantially as described.

In a header the combination with a main frame, comprising a transverse beam supported by the drivin g and grain wheels, and a forwardlyextending tongue resting upon such transverse beam at its rear end and sup- ICO IIO

ported at its forward end by a third wheel, of a l grain platform and elevator the supportingframe of which is pivotally hung below said transverse bar, a rope attached to the front of the platform and carried through a pulley on said tongue, an upwardly-inclined lever pivotally mounted at the front end of the tongue and to which the front end of said rope is attached, means for adjusting the position of said lever relative to the header-frame, and detachable connections adapted to secure the front end of the tongue to a wagon and hold the latter in correct position to receive the discharge from the elevator, the upper end of said lever being extended above the wagon whereby the height of the cutting apparatus above the ground may be regulated from the wagon by adjusting said lever, substantially as described.

3. In a header the combination with a framework comprising a transverse beam supported at opposite ends by the grain and driving wheels and a forwardly-exten ding tongue attached at its rear to said transverse beam and mounted at its forward end upon a third wheel, of a grain platform and elevator the supporting-frame of which is pivotally attached at its rear end to said transverse bar, arope attached to the front of the grain-platform and carried through a pulley on the tongue, an upwardly-inclined laterally-extended lever pivotally mounted at the front of the header-frame and to which the front end of said rope is secured, detachable connections adapted to secure the front end of the tongue to a wagon and hold the latter in correct position to receive the discharge of the elevator, a clutch mechanism between the driving-wheel and the operative mechanism of the header, a lever for releasing said clutch mechanism, and a rope secured to said lever and carried forward along the tongue and up the lever at the front thereof, the upper end of the lever being extended above the wagon whereby the height of the grain-platform and the operation of the operative parts of the header may be controlled from the wagon, substantially as described.

a. In a header the combination with a header-frame supported at its rear end upon driving and grain wheels and provided with a forwardly-extending tongue supported at its front end by a third wheel, a grain platform and elevator carried by the headerframe, and means for detachably connecting the front end of the tongue to a wagon to hold the latter in correct position to receive the discharge from the elevator, comprising a loop-shaped metallic strap secured at its ends to the opposite sides of the tongue, and a removable bar adapted to be connected with the wagon at its outer end and provided at its inner end with horizontally-projecting hooks adapted to embrace said loop between them, a pivoted stop-pawl within the loop adapted to engage the rear of the lower hook, a latch pivotally mounted within said loop and normally engaging the upper hook, a springcatch at the rear of the loop normallyT holding said latch in operative position, and a cord attached to said latch and extending within reach ofthe driver of the wagon, substantially as described.

5. rlhe combination with a header having a supporting-frame carried at its rear end by driving and grain wheels, and provided with a forwardly-extending tongue supported at its rear end by a third wheel, and a grain platform and elevator carried by said headerframe of a wagon into which the elevator is adapted to discharge the cut grain, of detachable connections between the wagon and the front end of the tongue comprising a bar adapted to detachably engage the tongue at its inner end, a forwardly-extending tubular bar on the front of the wagon, a metallic strap bolted to the end of the connecting-bar and adapted to hook over said tubular bar, an upwardly-projecting metallic loop between the sides of which said straps are placed and through which the connecting-bar is endwise movable, a lifting-lever pivotally attached to the end of the strap and by means of which the connecting-bar may be raised and moved endwise through said loop, a metallic loop on the front of the wagon through which said lever extends upwardly to within reach of the driver, and a rod pivotally attached to the inner end of the connecting-bar and extending outwardly upward to within reach of the driver, substantially as described.

G. A header the frame of which comprises a transverse beam supported at its outer end by a grain wheel, a forwardlyextending tongue rigidly secured to said transverse beam and carried at its forward end upon a third wheel, and means for adjustably supporting the inner end of said transverse beam from the driving -wheel comprising parallel depending bars rigidly secured to said beam at their upper ends and provided at theirlower ends with sleeves engaging a horizontal shaft, braces also secured to said sleeves and eX- tending upward to the tongue of the head er, radius-bars pivotally connecting said horizontal shaft with the shaftof the drivingwheel, a segment-bar bolted to one of said braces and to the adjacent depending bar, a lever sleeved on said horizontal shaft and adapted to ad justably engage said segmentbar, and an arm on said lever rigidly connected at its outer end with a partl sleeved on the driving-shaft, whereby by adjusting said lever on said radius-bar the supportin g-framework will be raised or lowered, substantially as described.

7. In a header, the combination with a framework comprising a transverse beam supported at opposite ends by the grain and driving wheels, and a forwardly-extending tongue attached at its rear end to said transverse beam and mounted at its forward end upon a third wheel, of a grain-platform the carrying-frame of which is pivotally supported at its rear from said transverse bar, ad justable connections between the front of the platform and the tongue for regulating the height of the platform above the ground, and means for counterbalancin g the weight of the platform comprising a rearwardly-extending bar secured at its front end to the tongue and resting upon the transverse beam, and a tension-spring adj ustably secured at its rear end to the rear end of said bar, a cord attached at its ends to the inner end of said spring and to the platform and a pulley at the inner end of the bar over which said cord is trained, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention l afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY C. BURMEISTER. lvitnesses HENRY XV. CARTER, JNO. NV. Ani-ins.

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